2 episodes in 3 weeks show no party can take Sikhs for granted

Jalandhar: Two episodes in three weeks show that no Sikh religious or political leader can take the support of the larger Sikh community or its vocal sections for granted, and a pattern is emerging that the community is dissecting every decision or move of the leaders on its own merits/demerits and reacting accordingly.
A little over two weeks ago, there was strong criticism of Sept 26 notice issued by Akal Takht to former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, who is now Shiromani Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar leader, seeking clarification on two counts — both personal — including the death of her daughter 24 years back.
The critics, including Sikh groups, intellectuals and activists, argued that Takht could not take cognizance of allegations of misconduct or violation of personal nature. Those who criticised the notice could be critical of her politics on other counts and also of Sudhar Lehar leaders. There were very few voices to defend the notice.
Now the larger component of the community, including several of those prominent voices who had spoken up for Jagir Kaur, came in support of Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh and criticised Shiromani Akali Dal leadership and senior Akali leader Virsa Singh Valtoha, especially after Giani Harpreet Singh announced that he would resign. On a few earlier occasions, they might have criticised Giani Harpreet Singh as well.
Taking into account the discerning attitude of the community, the two latest episodes in the last three weeks also do not mean that jathedars or Sudhar Lehar leaders can take the larger community or vocal voices for granted. They can also be at the receiving end in case they decide something or say something which does not go down well with the community.
A similar pattern emerged during the Lok Sabha polls when Sikh voters did not follow a leader or a party while making their choices. If the collective Sikh psyche largely supported Amritpal Singh from Khadoor Sahib and Sarabjit Singh from Faridkot, in other seats they did not mind tilting towards Congress to block BJP.
The same mindset was at play when Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann unilaterally pushed an amendment in the Sikh Gurdwara Act in June last year regarding live telecast of Gurbani Kirtan from Darbar Sahib. Several of the Sikh voices, otherwise critical of SGPC and SAD leadership, rallied behind SGPC as they felt Mann was setting a precedence of amending the Sikh Gurdwara Act without consulting the SGPC or the community representatives.
Sikh activists and netizens, not aligned to any political party or any Akali faction, have been playing an important role in driving the narrative of the community. They have also been giving tough times to the Punjab govt and the ruling AAP, despite its strong social media cell, besides the Congress and BJP.